Know Your LA Bands: Tim Myers Interview

It is not often an artist emerges who is willing to be consistently bright and happy both within the context of their music and in their life. Happiness can sometimes be mistaken for cheesiness, silliness, not artistic so many artists run away from joy as though it were as big of a career plague as, say, heroin or VH1. Tim Myers, however, is not most artists, he is willing to bring the sunshine of California to the studio and create music that is fun, fresh and above all else blissfully good. BeatCrave had the opportunity to talk with Tim Myers about his inspiration for creating music, the evolution of the music industry, working with OneRepublic and his upcoming full-length album. Check out what Tim Myers has to say and, if you haven’t already, be sure to take a listen to “The Good Life” EP available on iTunes. For those of you in the Los Angeles area, join Tim Myers at the Lili Claire Foundations 11th Annual Benefit Concert October 4, 2008 (9:00 | Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (map) | $50 Buy Tickets).

When did you first become interested in music?

My parents told me when I was two years old, I’d waddle up to our family piano and gently strike individual keys, almost like I was trying to play it. Both my brother and my sister would pound the keys when they were my age but for some reason I liked to hear the sounds of each note. My parents put me in classical piano at age 5. When I got a little older I picked up guitar and bass. I started writing songs around 13 or so. I’ve always had a love for music and playing.

You play left handed like some of the greats (Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney). Do you think your unconventional manner of playing has helped or hindered you?

I think it’s helped me find my own style. I didn’t have anyone that could teach me guitar or bass because they didn’t play “upside down” so I had to teach myself. My style of playing sounds very unique and it makes me stand out.

What was it like working with OneRepublic? How do you think that experience benefited your music career both creatively and professionally?

I learned a lot about “what” and “what not to do.” Writing and playing in that band for four years really helped me with my song writing. I became a better writer and performer. I learned a lot about the process of recording and getting great sounds. It’s hard to be married to 4 guys in a band for years. There’s a lot of opinions and not everyone is always on the same page. I learned that I’d rather write and record songs on my own and collaborate with other artists or songwriters “one on one.”

What are the major benefits and drawbacks to being a solo artist?

I love being a solo artist. I love writing a song and going into the studio and recording it the next day. I write about 4 or 5 songs a week and I record about 3 or 4 times a week. Some days I’m recording two songs in one day or writing two songs in one day. I have so much creative freedom! I don’t have a record label or publishing company down my neck telling me to write songs that sound like the latest flavor of the week. I can experiment and be an artist and create interesting music. I can’t think of any drawbacks. I make money making music and playing around in a studio all day. I don’t know a better job than that!

Who/What are the biggest influences on your music?

I love Bob Dylan’s lyrics. Everything about The Beatles is perfect… Electric Light Orchestra’s production, U2′s passion and energy, The Beach Boy’s harmonies, Freddy Mercury’s voice.

How do you think growing up in Southern California has affected your music?

Southern California is the only place I’ve lived. Lyrically, I talk a lot about things I’ve experienced or seen in California. Like The Beach Boys who are also from Southern California I have lots of harmonies. My music makes you feel good and it’s colorful and bright. I think that has a lot to do with it too.

Who/What inspires you to be a musician?

Writing songs makes me so happy. I don’t know anything else besides music. I get a high every time I write a song and I’m always chasing that next high. My girlfriend is my muse. The experiences we have in our relationship make for great song topics.

There is, obviously, no formula for creating great music but what have you found to be your creative process?

Each song I write is different from the next. Once I get that initial spark I don’t stop writing until I finish the song. If you write for a few hours and then go do something else it’s hard to get back to where you started. I cancel everything that day if I’m writing a great song so I can finish it. I try to come up with a great chord progression and a great melody at the same time. I usually write lyrics last or as I go. However, sometimes I’ll come up with lyrics or a song topic first and then I’ll pick up a guitar or piano and try to find some great melody for that lyric. I always try to find interesting topics or new ways to say things that have been said before. I like to tell stories in my songs. I also like to have my songs be 50% “easy to understand” and 50% “abstract and artsy.” I like when people listen to a line and they understand what I’m talking about and then the second line makes them tilt their head.

Your music has been featured on hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy, movie soundtracks and a few commercials such as Target and Saturn. How important do you think it is for new artist to have their music featured on movies, television shows and/or commercials?

Very important; TV shows, commercials, and movies are the new radio. MTV isn’t playing that many music videos anymore so a very important way people are hearing about new artists is through this new medium. The music industry is at a major turning point and it’s very exciting.

Do you think there are any drawbacks to having your music affiliated with certain movies, television shows and/or commercials?

Not at all; I’m very picky with what I choose my music to be in and I have a great team around me that guides me to make the right decisions. I’m not going to let a lame movie or commercial use my song. The commercials that have used my songs are really cool looking. All the TV shows and movies that have used my music are awesome! We have turned down a few opportunities that haven’t been right for me as an artist.

How do you think the LA music scene differs from the rest of the country right now?

Today LA is known for being really pop. I’m not really a fan of the LA music scene right now to tell you the truth. I love the scene at Hotel Cafe which is a lot like the Living Room in New York. It’s all about listening to songs and the art of writing. I hope California songwriters go back to the way it was like in the 60′s.

Your recently released EP, The Good Life, is certainly uplifting and quite positive. What do you want listeners to take away from this newest EP?

I hope it makes people feel good. I want my music to make people think and I want it to create a reaction in their soul. I want it to be an escape from their everyday life and take them to a better place.

“Remember When” is one of my personal favorites off “The Good Life.” What is the story behind that particular song?

I was listening to a Bob Dylan song called “Boots of Spanish Leather.” I loved how each verse was almost like a letter back and forth between the characters in the story. Each verse in “Remember When” is a letter back in forth between two characters. When I was younger I grew up with a girl who I cared for a lot. I moved away and we didn’t talk for years. Years later, we met up for dinner and it was almost like nothing had changed at all. We totally started back up right where we left off only later that night I found out that she had a serious boyfriend and her new life was truly different. On the last verse in “Remember When” we find out that the female character is “a wife and mother.” I had the female character move away from California and both characters wish they could “go back” to a simple innocence, a free spirit and first love that they both had in an almost paradise.

Who are the female vocals on that particular track?

Schuyler Fisk. She is an amazing singer.

Are there any other vocalist and/or musicians that you would love to work with?

Beck, Radiohead, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Jeff Lynn, Rufus Wainwright, Bono… Any of those would be amazing!

If you could only listen to five albums for the rest of your life what would they be?

The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
U2: Joshua Tree
Radiohead: OK Computer
The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds
Bob Dylan: The Times They Are A-Changin’

What are you presently working on?

My first full length record comes out in early 2009. I’m recording and writing a lot of songs for it right now!

Will you be touring any time soon?

Yes! I will be touring in early 2009.